Engine



May 23, 1951 ENGINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 HVVENTUR.

May 23, 1961 D. F. CARE 2,985,148

ENGINE Filed Feb. 24, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

BY ZZZ ATTORNE Y D. F. CARIS May 23, 1961 ENGINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 24, 1958 IN VENTOIQ. 002/ cf? @22 3" ATTOPA/A'V United States Patent ENGINE Darl F. Caris, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 24, 1958, Ser. No. 717,221

14 Claims. (Cl. 121-194) The present invention relates to internal combustion engines and more particularly to the cylinder block structures therefor.

In the past numerous attempts have been made to fabricate internal combustion engines having a cylinder block structure comprising a plurality of separate members which are fastened together. For example, the cylinder block may be similar to that disclosed and claimed in Serial No. 716,904, filed February 24, 1958, wherein the various members in the cylinder block structure are separately die cast and subsequently adhesively bonded together to form an integral structure. Such engines have been found to operate satisfactorily. In fact one advantage of die casting the various parts of the engine is the feasibility of using lightweight alloys such as aluminum and magnesium which are good conductors of heat. As a result such engines may have a very high compression ratio. Under such circumstances the burning gases inthe engine cylinders develop pulsating pressures of considerable magnitude. This in turn creates large forces that tend to force the cylinder head in one direction-off of the cylinder block structure and the crankshaft in an opposite direction out of the crankcase. Where the cylinder heads have been bolted directly to the cylinder block and the crankshafts have been carried by bearing caps on the cylinder block, the cylinder blocks have been subjected to pulsating forces which are primarily tension loads. Thus the joints between the various members in a laminated cylinder block structure will be subjected to these tension loads.

It is now proposed to provide an internal combustion engine in which the cylinder block structure is relieved of excessive tension loads. This in turn will-permit the use of a laminated cylinder block structure in which the various members are :adhesively bonded together without unduly loading the .joints in tension. More particularly, this is to be accomplished by extending the bolts for the cylinder heads through the cylinder block structure and securing the lower ends thereof to a reinforcing framework-located in the crankcase. This framework has the main bearings thereon for rotatably supporting the crankshaft. Thus when tightening the bolts for retaining the headon the block, the bolts will be loaded in tension and all of the members between the opposite .ends of the bolts (the head and cylinder block) will be loaded in compression. As a result any of the joints between the various members making up the laminated cylinder block structure will normally be under com- .pression and free from any excessive tension load thereon, thereby reducing the strain at the joints. 4 In the drawings: s Figure 1 is a transverse cross-sectional View of an engine embodying the present invention. Figure Z is a transverse cross-sectional view of the crankcase member.

V Figure .3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section view taken substantially along the plane of line 3-3 in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view a box-like structure.

taken substantially along the plane of line 44 in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the cylinder block structure, cylinder heads and intake manifold for the engine of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, although this invention may be embodied in any type of engine 10, it is particularly adapted for use in an internal combustion engine of the so-called V-type such as disclosed and claimed in Serial No. 716,904, filed February 24, 1958.

The present engine 10 includes a cylinder block structure 12 forming a pair of cylinder banks 14 and 16 having laminated cylinder heads 18 secured thereto similar to that disclosed and claimed in copending application Serial No. 716,904, filed February 24, 1958. The cylinder heads -18 include a first member 20 that engages the cylinder block structure 12 and a second member 22 that fits onto the back of the first member 20. These members are arranged so that they have intake and exhaust passages 24 therein that form intake and exhaust valve seats 26 for supplying and exhausting the combustible charge from the cylinders. Intake and exhaust valves 28 are provided in these valve seats and are controlled by rocker arms located on the rocker arm shafts extending longitudinally of each head 18.

An induction system 30 is disposed in the space between the cylinder heads 18. This system 30 includes a carburetor 32 and a laminated intake manifold 34 having a plurality of passages 36 therein for distributing the combustible charge from the carburetor 32 to the various intake passages 24 in the cylinder heads 18.

The cylinder block structure 12 is preferably arranged to be fabricated from one or moremembers die cast out of a lightweight metal such as an aluminum or magnesium alloy. In the present instance this structure 12 comprises a crankcase member 38 and at least one cylinder bank member 40 secured thereto to form a single integral structure. The crankcase member 38 includes a center web section 42, a pair of plane inclined faces 44 and 46 and downwardly extending side walls 48 arranged to form a downwardly opening chamber or crankcase 50. A plurality of bulkheads 52 extend transversely across this crankcase 50 to form end walls for the crankcase and also divide it into separate compartments.

The exteriors of the faces '44 and 46 form plane surfaces disposed approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal or at right angles to each other. Each face 44 and 46 includes an aligned row of cylindrical passages 54 that extend therethrough and opening into the crankcase 50. A separate passage 54 is provided in each face for each of the compartments in the crankcase 5 0.

The camshaft gallery is formed in the apex of the crankcase 50 and includes a plurality of bearing inserts 56 that are press fitted into the bulkheads 52. The camshaft 58 has a plurality of enlarged journals thereon which are rotatably disposed in these bearing inserts 56. In addition, the camshaft 59 includes separate intake and exhaust cams 60 for each of the cylinders. A plurality of smaller passages 62 extend through the faces parallel to the enlarged passages 54 with the axes thereof substantially normal to the axis of the camshaft 58 and in alignment with the cams 60. These passages form tappet guides adapted to reciprocably receive tappets or hydraulic slack adjusters 63 that ride on the various cams 60.

Each of the cylinder bank members 40 comprises a pair of lateral side Walls 64 and 66, a pair of end walls, a top face 68 and a bottom face 70 arranged to form The top face 68 is arranged to have the cylinder head 18 disposed thereon while the bottom face 70 is a plane surface complementary to the face 44 or 46 on the crankcase member 38. Each of the Cylinder bank members 40 is permanently secured to the face 44 or 46 on the crankcase member 38 by any suitablethermal setting adhesive bonding material which sets up at comparatively low temperatures. For example, an epoxy resin may be used. Such resins set up at comparatively low temperatures and, as a result, do not adversely affect the characteristics of the material in the various members or thermally distort the entire structure. The inner and outer faces 68 and 70 of the cylinder bank member include separate pairs of openings 72 and 74 that register with each other and with the passages 54 in the face in the crankcase member 38. Cylinder liners 76 are provided in the registering openings so that the outer ends thereof are disposed in the opening 72 in the oute'rface 68. The inner ends of the liners extend through the passages 54 and open into the crankcase 50. The upper end of the liner 76 includes a radially outwardly projecting flange 78 that rests on an annular seat 80 extending around the inside of the opening 72. The seat 80 is recessed sufficiently to permit the end of the liner 76 to be flush with the face 68. Thus the cylinder head 18 will tend to clamp the liner 76 in position. The lower end of the liner 76, which extends through the passage 54 and into the crankcase 50, is held in position by a'pair of resilient seals or rings 82. These rings 82 are disposed in annular grooves 84 machined into the surface of the passage 54, while the space therebetween is vented to atmosphere by a passage 86 in the side wall 48. These seals 82 are sufficiently resilient to permit a nominal amount of relative movement between the liners 76 and cylinder block structure 12.

A partition 88 extends longitudinally of the interior of the cylinder bank member 40 and divides it into two separate portions. The partition and one of the side walls are disposed immediately adjacent the exterior of the cylinder liner to form a cooling jacket 90 containing a liquid coolant in intimate heat exchanging relation withthe liner 76.

The other side of the'partition 88 forms enclosures 92 for the push rods 94 and means for returning lubricant to the crankcase 50. The lower ends of the enclosures 92 register with the tappet guides 63. Thus the push rods 94 may be disposed in the enclosures 92 with one end thereof seated in a tappet or slack adjuster 63 while the opposite end bears on a rocker arm. It may thus be seen that rotation of the camshaft 58 will reciprocate the slack adjusters 62 so as to drive the push rods so as to open and close the intake and exhaust valves 28.

The lower sides of the bulkheads 52 are recessed to form a pair of inclined edges 100 and 102. A separate frame 104 is providedfor each bulkhead 52. The frame 104 includes shoulders 106 that rest on the edges 100 and 102 of the bulkhead 52 and'diagonal braces or struts 108 that support a semicylindrical bearing 110 for receiving a journal on the crankshaft 112. The lower side of the frame 104 is adapted to have a bearing cap 114 bolted thereto so as to form a complete cylindrical surface adapted to rotatably carry the crankshaft 112. The throws of the cranksaft 112 are operatively interconnected with reciprocating pistons 113 in the cylinder liners 76 by connecting rods 115. In addition, the frame 104 includes a first section 116 that extends diagonally upwardly from the bearing 110 substantially parallel to a cylinder bank 14. This section 116 is disposed in a slightly recessed pocket 118 on one side of the bulkhead 52. In addition, a second section 120 extends diagonally V upwardly from the bearing cap 114 substantially parallel to the other cylinder bank 16. This section 120 is disposed in a second recessed pocket 122 on the opposite side of the bulkhead 521 The top of each section 116 and 120 includes a pair of enlarged hubs 123 having an internally threaded pas- .sage 124 therein. Through bolts or studs 126 may be threaded into these passages 124 while the heads 128 thereof bear on the exterior of the cylinder heads 18. It is thus seen that by tightening these bolts 126, they will be loaded in compression and will be effective to compress the cylinder bank members 40 between the crankcase member 38 and the cylinder heads 18. As a result even though high compression loads may be developed in the combustion chamber that tend to force the cylinder head 18 in one direction and the crankshaft 112 in another, the resultant forces will be carried by the bolts 126 and the adhesively bonded joints will be relieved of excessive tension loads.

It is to be understood that, although the invention has been described with specific reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is not to be so limited since changes and alterations therein may be made which are within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimedv is:

1. A cylinder block structure comprising a first member having a crankcase on one side and a plane face on an opposite side, a second member disposed on said face and having cylinders extending therethrough and opening into said crankcase, a frame disposed in said crankcase, and a crankshaft mounted on said frame and interconnected with pistons reciprocably disposed in said cylinders, said frame having bearings formed therein and extending 'therethrough and supporting said crankshaft and having removable bearing caps independently and separately secured thereto and securing said crankshaft within said bearings and to said frame, said frame receiving fastening means extending through said members and compressing said second member upon said face, said members being separate engine parts held in assembled relation on said frame by said fastening means.

2. A cylinder block structure comprising a crankcase member having a plane face on one side and a crankcase chamber on the opposite side, bulkheads extending transversely of said crankcase chamber, a cylinder bank member on said face and having cylinders extending therethrough and opening into said crankcase chamber, a frame disposed on said bulkheads, a crankshaft mounted on said frame and interconnected with pistons reciprocably disposed in said cylinders, and fastening means extending through said members and compressing said cylinder bank member upon said face, said members being separate engine parts held in assembled relation on said frame by said fastening means.

3. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block with a crankcase on one side and cylinders extending therethrough and opening into said crankcase, a cylinder head on the opposite side of said block and closing the outer ends of said cylinders, a frame in said crankcase rotatably supporting a crankshaft interconnected with pistons reciprocably disposed in said cylinders, said frame having bearings formed therein and extending therethrough and supporting said crankshaft and having removable bearing caps independently and separately secured thereto and securing said crankshaft within said bearings and to said frame, and fastening means extending through said cylinder head and block and into said crankcase securing said head and blockto said frame, said head and block being separate engine parts held in assembled relation on said frame by said fastening means.

4. An internal combustion engine comprising a crankcase member with a crankcase chamber on one side thereof and a plane face on the opposite side thereof, a cylinder bank member on said face and having cylinders extending therethrough and opening into said crankcase chamber, a cylinder head member on said cylinder through and supporting said crankshaft and having removable bearing caps independently and separately secured thereto and securing said crankshaft within said bearings and to said frame, and fastening means extending through said members with the lower ends thereof secured to said frame and the upper ends thereof secured to said head for compressing said bank member therebetween, said members being separate engine parts held in assembled relation on said frame by said fastening means.

5. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block with a crankcase chamber on the bottom and a pair of angularly disposed faces on the top, cylinder banks disposed on each of said faces and including aligned rows of cylinders extending through said block and opening into said crankcase chamber, cylinder heads on each of said banks and closing the outer ends of said cylinders, a framework in said crankcase chamber and adapted to be secured in position on said block structure, a crankshaft rotatably supported on said framework and operatively interconnected with pistons reciprocably disposed in said cylinders, a first group of fastening means extending through one of said banks with the lower ends thereof secured to said framework and the upper ends secured to one of said heads and compressing said one of said heads and said' one of said banks against said block, a second group of fastening means extending through the other of said banks with the lower ends thereof secured to said framework and the upper ends secured to the other of said heads and compressing said other of said heads and said other of said banks against said block, said heads and banks and blocks being separate engine parts held in assembled relation on said framework by said fastening means in said groups.

6. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block member with a crankcase chamber on one side thereof and a plane face on the opposite side thereof, said cylinder block member having openings therethrough communicating with said crankcase chamber, a cylinder bank member on said face, cylinder liners disposed in said bank member with the lower ends thereof extending through said openings and into said crankcase chamber, a cylinder head member on the outer end of said bank member, a frame in said chamber rotatably supporting a crankshaft interconnected with pistons reciprocably dis posed in said cylinder liners, said frame having bearings formed therein and extending therethrough and supporting said crankshaft and having removable bearing caps independently and separately secured thereto and securing said crankshaft within said bearings and to said frame, fastening means extending through said members with the lower ends thereof secured to said frame and the upper ends secured to said head for compressing said bank member upon said face, said members being separate engine parts secured in assembled relation to said frame in said chamber.

7. A cylinder block structure comprising a crankcase member having a downwardly opening crankcase chamber and a pair of angularly disposed faces extending longitudinally along the opposite sides thereof and above said chamber, cylinder bank members adhesively bonded to each of said faces and having cylinders opening into said crankcase chamber, a frame disposed in said crankcase chamber and rotatably supporting a crankshaft, said frame having bearings formed therein and extending therethrough and supporting said crankshaft and having removable bearing caps independently and separately secured thereto and securing said crankshaft within said bearings and to said frame, and bolts extending through said frame and said members and securing said members together and to said frame.

8. A cylinder block comprising a crankcase member having a downwardly opening crankcase chamber in the bottom thereof and a pair of angularly inclined faces on the opposite sides thereof and extending longitudinally above said crankcase, a cylinder bank member secured to each of said faces and including a row of aligned cylinders opening into said crankcase chamber, a framework disposed in said chamber and rotatably supporting a crankshaft having the throws thereof interconnected with pistons reciprocably disposed in said cylinders, said framework having bearings formed therein and extending therethrough and supporting said crankshaft and having removable bearing caps independently and separately secured thereto and securing said crankshaft within said bearings and tosaid framework, and fastening means extending through said members and said framework and compressing said bank members upon said faces, said members being separate engine parts secured in assembled relation to said framework in said chamber.

9. A cylinder block comprising a crankcase member having a downwardly opening crankcase in the bottom thereof and a pair of angularly inclined faces on the opposite sides thereof extending longitudinally above said crankcase, a plurality of bulkheads extending transversely across said crankcase, a frame on said bulkheads for rotatably supporting a crankshaft, cylinder bank members secured onsaid faces and having cylinders therein opening into said crankcase for receiving reciprocating pistons operatively interconnected with said crankshaft,

member having a downwardly opening crankcase in the bottom thereof divided into separate compartments by bulkheads extending transversely thereacross, inclined faces on opposite sides of said member extending longi tudinally above said crankcase, cylinder bank members secured on said faces and having cylinders extending therethrough to open into said crankcase, a frame secured on said bulkheads for rotatably supporting a crankshaft with the throws thereof disposed in said compartments for connection with pistons reciprocably disposed in said cylinders, fastening means extending through said members and into said frame for compressing said bank members onto said faces.

11. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block having a crankcase member and a pair of angularly disposed cylinder bank members on the sides thereof, said crankcase member having a crankcase in the bottom thereof for receiving a crankshaft, said bank members having cylinders therein opening into said crankcase and receiving reciprocating pistons operatively interconnected with said crankshaft, a frame in said crankcase rotatably supporting said crankshaft, said frame having bearings formed therein and extending therethrough and supporting said crankshaft and having removable bearing caps independently and separately secured thereto and securing said crankshaft within said bearings and to said frame, cylinder heads disposed on said bank members, and fastening means extending through said block with the lower ends secured to said frame and the upper ends secured to said heads, said block and bank members and said heads being separate engine parts secured together and to said frame by said fastening means.

12. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block having a crankcase member and a pair of angularly disposed cylinder bank members on faces extending longitudinally along the opposite sides of said crankcase member, cylinder heads on said bank members, said crankcase member having a downwardly opening crankcase in the bottom thereof separated into separate compartments by transversely extending bulkheads, said bank members having cylinders extending therethrough and opening into said crankcase, a frame on each of said bulkheads, a crankshaft rotatably supported on said frame for operative interconnection with pistons reciprocably disposed in said cylinders, fastening means extending through said members with thelower ends secured to saidframe and the upper ends secured to said heads for compressing said crankcase member and said cylinder heads onto the opposite sides of said bank members.

13. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block with a crankcase member having a downwardly opening crankcase in the bottom thereof divided into separate compartments by bulkheads extending transversely thereacross, inclined faces on the opposite sides of said member extending longitudinally above said crankcase, cylinder bank members adhesively bonded onto said faces and having cylinders extending therethrough to open into said compartments, cylinder heads on said bank members, a frame on said bulkhead, a crankshaft rotatably supported on said frame and having the throws thereof disposed in said compartments and interconnected :with pistons reciprocably disposed in said cylinders, fastening means extending through said members and having the lower ends thereof secured to said frame for compressing said heads and said crankcase members onto the opposite sides of said bank members.

14. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block with a crankcase chamber on the bottom thereof and a pair of angularly disposed plane faces on opposite sides thereof, said block having openings therethrough communicating with said crankcase chamber, a cylinder bank member on each of said faces, cylinder liners disposed in said bank members with the lower ends thereof extending through said openings and into said.

8 v chamber, a cylinder head member on the outer end of each of said bank members, a frame'in said chamber rotatably supporting a crankshaft interconnected with pistons reciprocably disposed insaid cylinder liners, a first group of fastening means extending through one of said banks with the lower ends secured tosaid frame and theother ends secured to the head on one of said bank members and compressing said one'ibank member onto its face, a second group of fastening means extending through the other of said bank members with the lower ends secured to said frame and the other ends secured to the head on the other of said bank members and compressing said other bank member onto its face, said block and bank members and said heads being separate engine parts secured together and to said frame by said fastening means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,969,690 Church Aug. 7, 1934 1,972,752 Balough Sept. 4, 1934 2,041,979 Thege May 26, 1936 2,464,711 Paxman Mar. 15, 1949 2,685,282 Seitz Aug. 3, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,032,413 France Mar. 25, 1953 1,082,332 France June 16, 1 954 

